In Pics: Under-18 Six Nations Festival's Closing Ceremony

2 April 2008 12:17

By Editor

Pictured at the Under-18 Six Nations Festival's closing ceremony were John Bowen from The Bowen Group (Festival sponsors), former GAA President Sean Kelly, who was a guest at the ceremony, and IRFU President Der Healy

A very well-run and hugely enjoyable Under-18 Six Nations Festival wrapped up on Tuesday with the final round of matches being followed by the closing ceremony at City Hall in Cork.

IRFU President Der Healy and John Bowen, representing the Festival sponsors The Bowen Group, were among those present at City Hall in Cork as the curtain was brought down on the 2008 Under-18 Six Nations Festival, which this year was hosted in Ireland for the first time by the Irish Rugby Football Union - Munster Branch.

Teams from Ireland, England, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales competed at the Festival, with the Ireland Under-18 Schools side posting their first win of the Festival on Tuesday when they edged out Italy 17-15 at Cork Institute of Technology.

Congratulations to the England and Wales squads who both won their three games, while Scotland, Italy and France also put in some very good performances.

The matches were held at Temple Hill, the Mardyke, Cork IT and Musgrave Park, with the Festival organisers, venue officials and volunteers doing a fine job. Well done to all involved.

Monday was community legacy day at Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 as the IRFU's 'Spirit of Rugby' programme brought together some local disability rugby players from DLSP Eagles, Seapoint Dragons and Westmanstown Wasps, and a number of WRWC players and coaches from the competing nations, for a fun-filled coaching/training session and Tag rugby games.

Monday was a momentous day for the Ireland Women's camp as the 28-strong squad was revealed for the Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil. Head coach Tom Tierney and captain Niamh Briggs spoke to the press at the announcement in UCD.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the Union's 2016/17 Annual Report, which includes increased investment in Women's rugby and addresses the challenges of funding for the game in Ireland.

The launch of a commemorative stamp to mark the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland was a special day for Women's rugby, team captain Niamh Briggs and her family. We spoke to her and her dad Mike at the GPO.

Marie Louise Reilly joined her Ireland team-mates Nora Stapleton and Lindsay Peat at a recent Dublin City Council event in support of the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Reilly, who works as a DCC Sports Officer, said: "The team are coming together really well, we're working hard and hopefully August will be really memorable not just for us but for the whole country."

Fiona Coghlan, Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 Ambassador and Chair of the Dublin City Sports and Wellbeing Partnership, speaks about Dublin City Council's support of the tournament in August and the momentum and excitement building in the capital and around the four provinces for WRWC 2017.

Felix Jones, who is the visiting coach in Ireland camp this week, spoke to Irish Rugby TV about how 'interesting' and 'valuable' his time in Tokyo has been, and also what the transition from player to coach is like. He retired in October 2015 and is now Munster's back-line and attack coach.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's second Test against Japan, Ireland tour captain Rhys Ruddock said: "We've been happy with the results so far, and there's been bits of the performances we've been really happy with and some bits that we're looking to improve on. Tomorrow marks the last opportunity to go out and do that, so we're all really excited about getting out there now."

Set for his third start of the summer tour, Ireland number 8 Jack Conan said: "We gave ourselves the objective of coming over with three good performances, and I feel like we're one away from that. It'll be another massive 80 minutes and everyone wants to finish the season on a high."

Marking the 50-day countdown, we hear from Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 Tournament Director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland forwards Cliodhna Moloney and Paula Fitzpatrick as the tournament, which will be held in Dublin and Belfast from August 9 to 26, draws ever closer.

Highlights from Ireland's 50-22 first Test victory over Japan at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka. Joe Schmidt's men ran in seven tries with two each from Keith Earls, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan, while Garry Ringrose also dotted down.

The Ireland Under-18 and Under-19 squads had a busy Easter period with seven matches played in Ashbourne, Cardiff, Llanelli, Caerphilly and Bordeaux. Check out some of the tries scored. Full match reports are available on www.irishrugby.ie.

Speaking to RTE Radio rugby correspondent Michael Corcoran, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was asked about prioritising players playing in Ireland when it comes to national selection over those who are based overseas.

In an interview broadcast on RTE Radio 1's 'Sunday Sport' programme, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by the summer tour to the USA and Japan, and also looked ahead to next month's Rugby World Cup Pool Draw.

Speaking about working with the provinces and monitoring players' progress, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt told RTE Radio 1: "For us, having the best quality of performance within the provinces, getting some really good coaching from the provincial coaches, which we know is happening at the moment, that's the foundation that we need because in the end we get the players in a match week pretty much."

In an interview with RTE Radio rugby correspondent Michael Corcoran, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt confirmed that Girvan Dempsey, Felix Jones and Ronan O'Gara will be incorporated into the coaching group for the upcoming summer tour to the USA and Japan.

IRFU National Talent Development Manager Hendrik Kruger says the Easter age-grade internationals give the Ireland Under-18 and Under-19 players 'the chance to represent their country and experience international rugby' and are 'the highlight of their season'.